Russian Military in Syria

In September 2015 Russian military forces intervened in Syria initially as part of a limited campaign against so-called Islamic State terrorists. This campaign turned into more substantive military support to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in his deadly fight with opposition groups, killing thousands of civilians in rebel-held areas. Operations came to an end with Assad’s fall in December 2024.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Syria and produced research and reports on the conflict.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

4,431 – 6,522

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 4,977 separate alleged incidents.

1,174 – 1,440
children likely killed
647 – 782
women likely killed
6,672
likely injured
3,500
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
15,841 – 25,260
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,977 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,431 – 6,522
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,380 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
739 – 861
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
466 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,557 – 17,748
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,115 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
114 – 129
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
16 seperate alleged incidents
4942 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3142

Location

Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria
Three civilians were killed, including one adult male, by air and artillery shelling in Beit Sawa, local media reported. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia for the strikes. Marsad Al Hasaka, who reported that the victim was the father of three children, added that an unspecified number of civilians were also wounded in…

Summary

Published
4 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military actors reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3143

Location

بيت سوى, Beit Sawa, Damascus, Syria
A single source reported that "three civilians were killed and others were injured by an air bomb likely to be a Russian on the town of Beit sawa (12 km east of Damascus), pointing to the death of a person from wounds sustained by the past days." There are no other details at this time.

Summary

Published
4 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3153

Location

Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria
Up to eight civilians killed and as many as 32 others were wounded in airstrikes on Hamouriya, local media reported. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the raids. The Violations Documentation Centre reported that seven unidentified civilians were killed. There were as many as four raids. There was an intensive "aerial bombardment…

Summary

Published
4 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
2–8
Civilians reported injured
32
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3144

Location

Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria
One woman was killed and four others were wounded in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. Most sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime or the raids. Smart News Agency reported that "warplanes launched a rocket-propelled grenade in the center of the city, killing one woman and wounding four others, including two women…

Summary

Published
4 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
1
Civilians reported injured
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3145

Location

Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria
An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Al Lataminah. Sources blamed both Russian and the Syrian regime. Shaam was the only source to report on wounded civilians, while the rest simply stated there was bombing in the vicinity. Sources do however mention that there was heavy…

Summary

Published
4 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

4 March 2018

Incident Code

RS3152

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
Reports claimed that between three and 28 civilians were killed, including 11 children and two women, in air and artillery strikes on Douma. Sources blamed both The Syrian regime and Russia for the raids. Multiple sources did however report that four of the dead were wounded from a previous strike and died on this exact…

Summary

Published
4 March 2018
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilians reported killed
3–31
Civilians reported injured
12–24
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident